E-DRUG: Wemos - seeking support for global Covid19 pool
------------------------------------------------------------
Dear all,
Wemos has been working on getting support for a global Covid19 pool. See the information on our website:
https://www.wemos.nl/en/letter-to-dutch-cabinet-support-covid-19-pool/
At this moment there is a debate in the Dutch Parliament on Covid19, we hope that MP's will be asking the Dutch government for support to this global pooling. We will keep you informed on the developments and whether the Dutch government is willing to support this.
We call on all organizations to request their government to support this global pooling mechanism. Together we can make that a reality.
LETTER TO DUTCH CABINET: SUPPORT COVID-19 POOL
https://www.wemos.nl/en/letter-to-dutch-cabinet-support-covid-19-pool/
Yesterday, Wemos sent a letter on behalf of 33 civil society organisations, political youth organisations and 20 public health experts to Minister Van Rijn (Medical Care), Minister Kaag (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) and Minister Wiebes (Economic Affairs and Climate) with the call to support the worldwide 'Covid-19 pool'. The organisations call for free sharing of knowledge, data and intellectual property around Covid-19.
https://www.wemos.nl/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Letter-to-Minister-Van-Rijn-about-Covid-19-pool-Wemos.pdf
Call to The Netherlands: support Costa Rica's proposal
Last week, Costa Rica sent a letter to Dr. Tedros, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). It has requested WHO to create a global pool for data, knowledge and technologies that can be of use in the prevention, detection and treatment of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Dutch organisations call on the Dutch government to actively support the Costa Rica proposal.
A Covid-19 pool would enable accelerated production of the required Covid-19 technologies. In addition, it would meet the global need for affordable products â a relevant issue, now that Covid-19 is affecting more and more countries with limited financial resources and often weak health systems.
Ella Weggen (Wemos): 'Several governments have already found that holding on to rights, data and knowledge for the production of resources in the fight against Covid-19, will not lead to the desired result. Think of the example of Roche, who is willing to share the recipe for liquid material for corona tests only after great public and political pressure.'
Chile, Israel, Canada and Germany have already indicated that they will use compulsory licenses to lift the exclusivity of patents, if necessary. A Covid-19 pool would increase the chances for everyone in the world to access appropriate treatments.
WHO is positive, so will the rest follow?
In a first reaction, Dr. Tedros is positive about Costa Rica's proposal. Now other countries should follow. In recent years, and on the international level, the Netherlands has worked for better, fair access to affordable medicines. The government can now use this strong position in international discussions to support such a pool and include the rest of Europe in these discussion. This way, the Covid-19 pool can become a reality.
Tom Buis (Wemos): 'The Netherlands can now show solidarity with all affected countries and commit to realising a Covid-19 pool. This is a good first step to maximise resource production and minimise financial pressures on healthcare systems worldwide. '
The civil society organisations, political youth organisations and academia behind the letter hope that their support will give the Netherlands the final push to live up to its solid reputation in the field of access to medicines.
Read the letter to Minister van Rijn (Medical Care). The letter has also been sent to Minister Kaag (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) and Minister Wiebes (Economic Affairs and Climate).
Parliamentary questions to Minister Van Rijn
Pia Dijkstra (D66) has asked Minister Van Rijn written questions about the Covid-19 pool. Dijkstra also links the questions to any public investments that are currently taking place on a large scale. We are curious about Minister van Rijn's answers.
Signatories to the letters
Organisations (in alphabetical order)
- Aidsfonds
- Alzheimer Nederland
- Amref Flying Doctors
- Doctors Without Borders
- Commons Network
- Cordaid
- Dance4Life
- DeGoedeZaak
- Diabetes Fonds
- Health Action International
- The International Federation of Medical Students' Associations - the Netherlands (IFMSA-NL)
-Jonge Democraten (JD) â Young Democrats of political party D66
- JS - Young Socialists in the PvdA (Labour Party)
- Maag Lever Darm Stichting
- Medicines Law & Policy
- Nederlandse Cystic Fibrosis Stichting (Dutch Cystic Fibrosis Foundation)
- Netherlands Patients Federation
- Open State Foundation
- Oxfam Novib
- Pharmaceutical Accountability Foundation
- PerspectieF, Young Christian Union
- Dutch Red Cross
- RNW Media
- Rood, Youth Organisation of the Socialist Party (SP)
- Rutgers
- Samenwerkende Gezondheidsfondsen
- Save the Children Nederland
- SGP-jongeren - SGP Youth (Reformed Political Party Youth)
- SOMO - Centre for Research on Multinational Cooperations
- Terre des Hommes
- Trombosestichting Nederland
- Universities Allied For Essential Medicines The Netherlands
- Wemos
+ around 20 Individuals (in alphabetical order)
Kind regards,
Ella Weggen
Senior Global Health Advocate
http://www.wemos.nl/
Ella Weggen <ella.weggen@wemos.nl>